News
20
October, 2023
ESTA Bargaining Update – October
20 October, 2023
Negotiations for a new agreement to cover ESTA operational employees have now been ongoing since February this year, with the current agreement expiring on 30 June 2023. Read on for more information....
19
October, 2023
Ambulance Victoria reject F.O.I request
19 October, 2023
The VAU recently requested documents under FOI from AV, related to Revised Ambulance Dispatch. This request was denied. While the VAU consider its legal options to take the matter further, we will continue to advocate for reform to call-taking and dispatch, on our own if we must.
10
October, 2023
St John Ambulance Victoria Non-Emergency Patient Transport Enterprise Agreement 2023
10 October, 2023
The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated is pleased to announce that the proposed St John Enterprise Agreement has been voted up by a majority of the workforce. This is the first ever Enterprise Agreement for Patient Transport workers at St. John. Click here to download the new agreement.
09
October, 2023
St John members vote IN FAVOUR of a new Enterprise Agreement
09 October, 2023
The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated is pleased to announce that the proposed St John Enterprise Agreement has been voted up by a majority of the workforce.
25
September, 2023
SAFETY ALERT – Misrouting cross-border Ambulance 000 calls
25 September, 2023
Members reporting significant delays in call handling, due to calls from border locations being misrouted to NSW Ambulance Service.
22
September, 2023
Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Bargaining Update 009
22 September, 2023
Over recent meetings we have started to see some slow but positive progress in some of the key areas where we are aiming to improve members wages and working conditions. This includes:
15
September, 2023
Constantly Altering Recruitment Exercises
15 September, 2023
The Victorian Ambulance Union has received a large number of complaints from members about recent AV recruitment processes. This includes members who have been told they are not worthy of an interview even though they have acted in these roles for many years, and some have been asked by AV to continue to act in these roles.
31
August, 2023
TRIPLE ZERO VICTORIA
31 August, 2023
The VAU welcomes the tabling of the Triple Zero Victoria Bill 2023 and the proposal to replace the Emergency Services Telecommunication Authority (ESTA) with a new statutory authority named Triple Zero Victoria, with strengthened oversight and partnerships with other emergency services.
29
August, 2023
SAFETY ALERT – Stryker Stretcher Batteries
29 August, 2023
On Sunday nightshift two members from Bairnsdale were exposed to hazardous chemicals when a spare Stryker Stretcher Battery expanded and leaked fumes into the ambulance cabin. Read on for more detail.
23
August, 2023
AV Serious Privacy Breach – UPDATE
23 August, 2023
Our members have informed the VAU that a further detailed communication was sent to them from the Chief Executive yesterday at 1525 hours. Almost 24 hours later, AV have not reciprocated the courtesy of communicating this update to the VAU.
22
August, 2023
AV Serious Privacy Breach
22 August, 2023
This follows a previous breach of privacy in early May 2023 where confidential spreadsheets of pre-employment AOD screens for AV graduates were accessible on the AV intranet. AV only became aware of this privacy breach when informed by the VAU.
15
August, 2023
Allegations of bullying during Workcover
15 August, 2023
Over recent weeks the VAU have received a concerning number of calls from members in tears while on Workcover after suffering a workplace injury in the course of their employment with AV. Read on for more information:
11
August, 2023
NPT Enterprise Agreement – Payment of built-in Overtime explained
11 August, 2023
Under the new Enterprise Agreement, one of the changes relates to meal breaks. Meal breaks will count as time worked. Previously they did not count as time worked, even though they were paid at single time.
10
August, 2023
Ambulance Victoria Budget Cuts
10 August, 2023
Members have informed the union of meeting resistance from Ambulance Victorian management. Members are requested to report any instances of AV management denying essential equipment, training and resources due to “budget cuts” to the VAU at memberqueries@vau.org.au.
28
July, 2023
Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Bargaining Update 008 – AV need bargaining sabbatical
28 July, 2023
A number of key claims were rejected by AV at the last meeting. This includes our claim for minimum safe staffing in our communications centres. AV have also rejected our claim for an uplift to MICA wages to build an appropriate relativity between ALS. Read for more information...
26
July, 2023
VAU Submission to Non-Emergency Patient Transport Review
26 July, 2023
The VAU has provided our Submission to the NEPT Review, to the Chair of the NEPT Review Steve McGhie. The VAU submission is attached, and people are invited to review it. We would like to the thank our hardworking NEPT members who have contributed to the VAU submission.
25
July, 2023
NPT Agreement 2023 APPROVED!
25 July, 2023
The VAU encourage all NEPT and NPT workers to download a copy of the new EA and keep it handy for reference (attached). Any members who would like explanation or further detail on any aspect of the EA please contact the VAU using the Contact Form.
21
July, 2023
Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Bargaining Update 007 – AV refuse improvement to FWA grievances
21 July, 2023
To date there have been over thirty-three meetings with AV to negotiate a new agreement to replace the 2020 Agreement. In our previous update the VAU informed members of a number of claims being rejected. This includes claims relating to:
30
June, 2023
Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Bargaining Update 006- is Rural Reserve rearing its ugly head again?
30 June, 2023
AV propose altering the way that members are paid for working flexibly including the introduction of a new higher allowance to be payable when a member is rostered to day-to-day reserve. Read on for more information.
28
June, 2023
Media reports regarding Eynesbury bus accident – Patient Transport should never have been privatised
28 June, 2023
The VAU has been made aware of private crews contracted to AV and scheduled to work an AV shift, being directed not to log in as an AV resource and reassigned to perform work under other private contracts with health services.